Half Broke Horses for June

I think I mentioned this book when we met at Heather's place and I have decided to make it our official selection for June.  (Especially after seeing it at Costco for $9.99...great book to ask for as a Christmas gift!)  It's by Jeannette Walls, whose writing we enjoyed in The Glass Castle, (also $9.99 at Costco right now.)   She calls it a 'true life' story, (thanks James Frey,) but it is based on the life of her grandmother, a character who has stuck with me months after reading the book.  Half Broke Horses is  a quick read; organized in perfect little 'before bed' snippets.

I hope you enjoy it!  

(And no, it won't count as your biography if you read it before Marnie's book club gathering on Dec.13th!!!)

See you soon!

You are invited!!!

Hope you don't mind me posting something here, unrelated to book club?
Would be so great to see you all there... or another time if you cannot make the event.

Only two months unaccounted for!

Thanks Jennifer for taking February!  If you're so inclined, follow this link that Jennifer added with her book choice:
Little Princes Video

Aren't we getting organized?

January is set!

Hello Everyone!  Kathy has confirmed hosting details for January so check out the book selection on the sidebar...

Updated Blog

Good morning Ladies!

Lovely to spend time with you at Deb's 'party-house' last night.  (What was the name of that tiler?)  Thank you for hosting Deb!  Your book choice was a unanimous hit so thank you for introducing us to a new genre.

I've quickly updated our reading list on the side-bar, but haven't added Kathy as I was uncertain of her month preference & selection.

I think we should try to add a list of 'good reads' to our blog this year.  Does anyone want to take on the task of compiling such a list?  How would we best publish it?  Ideas are welcome!

Our first three book choices are a good indication that we have a fantastic year of reading ahead of us!  See you all next month!

room

just finished if anyone wishes it... 338.9909

Book Club at Allie's on Tuesday Jan 25

Happy New Year and hope to see everyone there!
My adress is 1198 Walter Gage St, Comox. Phone # 890-9046.

Directions:
From Comox instead of going straight to Goose Spit go left on Torrence, then right on Lazo Rd., go up the hill, take 1st right on Butchers Rd. My house is 2nd house on the right on the corner of Walter Gage and Butchers.

Cool site with links for Guernsey!

I just started looking at this site and there is a neat map of Guernsey complete with links to all the places that were mentioned in the book... with interesting facts and pictures!
CLICK HERE

laughing...

I'm laughing while eating my scrumptous roasted yam and bitter greens salad that I made for tonights bookclub meeting!!! Yes, I did indeed make the mistake of driving out to Lisa's house on the wrong night. It's going to make me giggle all night I think!

www.bookdepository.com

Hey Gals, I hope you have all had a great summer. I know we all like to buy our books (or even better, borrow) local when we can, but I have just discovered the Book Depository online. It had some curriculum books that I needed, at a price considerably less than elsewhere. Here is the kicker... NOOOOO taxes and FREEEEEEE shipping!!! My order arrived in 10 days. Trivia: They are located on Guernsey Island, which is also the setting of our October book:) See you all soon.

September Book Club Meeting

Hi all,

Hope that you are all having a great summer!

Just a reminder that we will be meeting at my house in September to discuss your book of choice from those Yann Martel has been sending to Stephen Harper. See full list. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Stephen Harper has now replied to six of the 54 books that he has received.

Choose one of the 54 books listed and give a quick review on why you picked it, what you thought about it and whether or not you would recommend it and why.
September 28th
730 PM at my house – 1946 Left Road, Courtenay (email for directions if needed)
250-703-2966

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Lisa

Mr. Hooton & The Gals

Wow. Matthew Hooton is one impressive cat! I think all who attended Tuesday's meeting would agree that it was a fabulous night. Matthew was very gracious and generous, and he had a great sense of humour to boot! I'd like to thank everyone who attended for your great questions & gorgeous food. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect evening!

Hope you all enjoy the pictures...we're sporting some pretty big grins! (Apologies to Jemaica who arrived after we caught the photos.)

PS To Sue and Sue, who both contributed to the gift certificate for Matthew but didn't get a chance to attend our meeting, he seemed genuinely excited about going book-shopping!

Deloume Tomorrow Night!

Just a quick reminder that our Deloume meeting is tomorrow night! If anyone is up for bringing something gluten & dairy free for dessert, it would be welcome! Otherwise, just bring your fine self! We'll be in the back yard so you may want to bring a sweater in case it gets chilly.

Looking forward to seeing you all!

Deloume Meeting

Hi Ladies!

(This post was emailed to everyone, but I thought I would post it here in case anybody was missed...)

Next Tuesday is our Deloume Road Book Club Meeting with Matthew Hooton!!! Hope you enjoyed the book.

I'd love to get a sense of how many will be in attendance next Tuesday and what you'll be bringing. I know it's not our usual style to plan the meal ahead of time, but if you could let the group know if you're bringing a salad, appie or dessert, then I can fill in any gaps. (Summer-fare...even better if we do it oven-less!)

I was thinking that I'd invite our club to come at 7:00, and I'll tell Matthew to arrive around 7:30. I'm guessing we'll probably spend less time mingling and get into the discussion after we've had a bite.

Please have a question in mind to fire at Matthew. He's expecting to read a little excerpt from the novel, then take questions from us. I know some gals were reluctant to have a prepared question and take turns asking them, but rest assured that it won't be like poetry night where the spotlight is on us, the spotlight is on Matthew! It'll just be good to have a launching point for discussion, but I'm sure it'll be very organic and relaxed!

Oh, one last thing. As luck would have it, I've been scheduled to have a minor eye (lid) surgery Tuesday afternoon, so if you see me wearing an eye patch, don't be alarmed. It isn't a pirate party. ( Be kind.)

This will be fun!

Karen

PS

I'm at 1838 Buena Vista Avenue in Comox

White house nearer to Church St. than Anderton

Come right around to the back yard when you arrive!

Book of Negroes to lend?

Hi Gals,

Awesome night last night! Thanks Jenn for hosting. You have a beautiful home! Great food too! Did someone say cheese? YUM! I've been looking through Yann Martel's book and decided that Metamorphosis might totally bum me out- didn't realize it was about a man turning into a bug. Ick. Also, I really want to read The Book of Negroes over the summer. Does anyone have a copy you'd loan me? Please e-mail me if you do: esther@estherkane.com

Won't be at May's meeting :( because will be in Toronto visiting family but hope you gals have a great time and see you in June!

Hugs,

Esther

Deloume on Chek

Hey all, Matthew Hooton will be talking about Deloume Road on CHEK 6 TV, Thursday at 6:30pm.

Barack Obama and Yann Martel

So, even though Stephen Harper isn't too keen on Yann's suggestions, Barack Obama and his children loved Life of Pi.

http://www.abebooks.com/blog/index.php/2010/03/01/yann-martels-personal-note-from-barack-obama/

what is stephen harper reading?

just picked this book up today from library and i already love the premise. mentioned in the introduction is the website he started which has all of the books and the letters he's sent to our prime minister (and will continue to do so every 2 weeks for his time in office). makes me want to run out and read each and every one that he is recommending... great pick for may! so, if you cannot get the book in time, read from this site:

http://www.whatisstephenharperreading.ca/

Deloume Road-it's official!!!

I'm excited to announce that Matthew Hooton is going to come to our book club meeting on Tuesday, June 22nd!!! Yippee!!! (I'm happy to host, by the way.)

Let me know if you want me to include you in my Amazon order by this Friday.

What a great way to celebrate the summer solstice!

Also, Matthew wanted me to pass on the fact that he's doing a reading with Yann Martel in Victoria on April 27th. http://www.munrobooks.com/events.cfm

Deloume Road Update

Success! I've begun a conversation with Matthew Hooton and he is honoured that the Afictionados have chosen his book to read. The good news is that he would like to come to our meeting; the bad news is that he's going to be tied up with book readings and his UK launch for the next couple of months. Also, there are no book deals to be had through him, but he suggested going the Amazon route & taking advantage of the free shipping.

At any rate, he seems keen to make it happen, so I'm hoping that his next communique will contain a potential meeting date. (I'm guessing June or September.)

In the meantime, I think Melanie had a back-up book suggestion for May, but I've forgotten what it is. Anyone?

I'll keep you posted on the Hooton front. Have a great week!